Tirthankar said, “Vijaysinh! You completed your life span in heaven. You were born to Shrimati, Sagardutt’s wife in this city of Laxminilay. You were named Vijaysinh. On the other hand, Sridevi endured severe pain in hell for innumerable years. After the completion of her life span in hell, she kept wandering in the incarnations of animals and birds. While wandering, she finally attained the life of one-sensed plant. It is in the form of this coconut tree.”
Hearing about my previous lives, my heart became detached. Right there, taking the king’s permission in front of Tirthankar, I removed that treasure and donated that money to the needy and orphans. Then I accepted monkhood from Acharya Vijaydharm.
Shikhi heard the story of Acharya Vijaysinh’s lives, from his own mouth. He was taken aback. A storm of thoughts started flooding in Shikhi’s mind. He thought of his mother, Jalini, who unnecessarily had intense hatred towards him and his father Brahmadutt, who had immense affection for him.
He said to Acharyaji, “Gurudev, the physical world really is like this. You have done a great job by adopting monkhood. Gurudev, spirituality is the only purpose of human life. Would you kindly please explain to me the basic principles of Dharm?
Acharya Shri Vijaysinh said, “Tirthankars have preached four types of Dharm :
1. Donation
2. Purity
3. Austerity
4. Intentions
The first one, donation is of three types :
• Giving knowledge
• Giving protection
• Giving spiritual support
Let me explain to you the donation of knowledge - Those great men who impart knowledge shared by enlightened beings to others, they give real happiness. Since, one can know about virtues and sins only by knowledge. By knowing and recognizing sins and renouncing them, he can be saved from the sorrows of hell and other painful incarnations. Through virtuous acts, he can get the best pleasures of human and heaven incarnations.
It is only through knowledge that man can understand liberation. He can walk on the path of salvation and attain the pleasures of salvation. Therefore, the gift of knowledge is actually the gift of liberation.
The ultimate fruit of the gift of knowledge is the attainment of the ultimate goal of omniscience. The giver of knowledge becomes omniscient. Thus, giving knowledge is beneficial for both, the giver and the receiver.
Shikhi said, “Acharyaji, you yourself are continuously donating knowledge. You are benefiting many living beings like me. You have explained the glory of giving knowledge. It is very true.”
“I will now explain to you the second form of donation.
Not causing violence to any living being, not getting them killed through others and not appreciating those who commit violence. Violence is to be renounced by thoughts, words and actions – this is the form of donation of fearlessness given by saints. They give the gift of life to all living beings from one-sensed to five-sensed.
All living beings in the world always wish to live their life. So, we should do what they like, and let those creatures live! In fact, true charity is giving beings what they like. Living beings love their life, that’s why they should be given the gift of life.
A person who gives the gift of life attains longevity in life, beautiful and healthy body as well as great popularity.
Letting other living beings live, that is giving protection.
Shikhi said, “Only a saintly person can give such a gift.”
Acharyaji said, “It is true. But even householders can do it in a partial form.
The third donation is giving spiritual support.
Dharm means true conduct. Those who practise monkhood, we should donate such things which are useful for them. We can offer food, clothes, medicines, shelter and other items which are useful for saints to practise spirituality. This is called giving spiritual support.”
Shikhi asked, “Gurudev, in what spirit should we do charity and what things should we donate?”
Acharyaji said, “One should donate without any desires to attain worldly pleasures. Donation should be done with just one thought - 'My karmas will be shed.’ However,
• ‘If I do charity, then my fame will spread.
• If I do charity, then I will receive worldly pleasures.
• I can also do charity.’
Well, a donation given out of such pride does not yield anything great.
• Donations given by those whose minds are polluted by ignorance, attachments and donate against the teachings of Tirthankar, they keep on wandering in various incarnations even after doing charity.
Shikhi asked, “But the receiver should also be qualified, shouldn’t he?”
“Ofcourse he should be! Beings possessing good values, faith and conduct are eligible to receive donations.”
“Is it necessary to see the right time while doing charity?”
“Yes, charity should be done at the right time! If the farmer cultivates at the right time, he gets a bountiful harvest. Likewise, donation given to the saints at the right time yields great fruit.”
Shikhi asked, “Do the feelings of the donor matter?”
“Ofcourse! Feelings are significant. The donor should be ecstatic. His body should be thrilled. ‘I have got a blessed opportunity’ – he should have such enthusiasm.”
“Gurudev, all you have talked about is donation to saints! So, have Tirthankars forbidden to donate to the poor?”
“No, Tirthankars have never forbidden from donating to the poor. That form of charity must also be done.
This way, you have understood about the first type of Dharm. Let me give some information about the second one now.
Purity is of the following types :
• Self-restraint
• Controlling ill-feelings
• Reflecting upon the twelve ideologies
• Having faith and desire to liberate
• Friendliness towards all beings
• Forgiveness, modesty, simplicity and satisfaction
The man who follows this, attains a bright afterlife. He never becomes a victim of painful incarnations.”
Shikhi asked, “Those who observe these six types of purity, are they called chaste?”
“Yes. Even those who follow them to some extent are called chaste. Now, let me tell you about austerity. Tirthankars have preached twelve types of austerities.
The six types of external austerities are :
• Fasting
• Eating less than hunger
• Limiting the number of food items
• Sacrificing taste
• Enduring physical strain
• Controlling senses
The six types of internal austerities are :
• Confession of sins
• Humility
• Service
• Spiritual study
• Meditation
• Kayotsarg – meditating with stability of mind and body
Those who follow these twelve types of austerities as per their capacity, they attain great happiness and destroy sorrows.
Now, understand the nature of the fourth Dharm.
To be engrossed in the feelings of right faith, right knowledge and right conduct.
To reflect on the twelve types of ideologies.
Being devoted to the Tirthankars.
To contemplate on the horrific nature of the physical world.
To appreciate the qualities of virtuous saints.
To think over the applicable nature of the preachings of the enlightened souls.
To visualise the happiness of liberation.
To criticize our faults.
To confess our faults in front of Guru.
To reflect on the benefits of good company.
All these are feelings categorised as the fourth form of Dharm. One who has good intentions, attains ultimate equanimity.
In this way, make your life worthy by following these four types of Dharm. Only spirituality brings welfare to the soul.”
Shikhi said, “Gurudev, the four types of Dharm and their effect explained by you is very true. There is no room for any doubt in this, but I feel that it is not possible for a householder to follow the other three forms of Dharm, except donation, in a good way. That can only be possible in monkhood.
Gurudev, what kind of man is considered fit to lead such a life? Monkhood is not so easy!”
Acharyaji smiled and said, “Your question is right, Shikhi! The following things are to be expected in a man desirous of accepting monkhood :
• He must be born in a dignified caste.
• His sinful deeds should have majorly been destroyed.
• His intellect should be pure.
• He should know the true nature of the physical world.
• He should be strongly detached.
• His ill-feelings should be mild.
• His humour should be mild.
• He should not be of notorious nature.
• He should be humble.
• He should be acceptable among decent men.
• He should not be spiteful or angry.
• He should have a healthy body.
• His faith should be stable.
• He should be dedicated to Jinshasan.
Shikhi requested, “Gurudev, I have liked everything you said. I am devoted at your feet. I am willing to do as you say.”
Acharyaji thought, ‘How wonderful this youth is! He asks such decent questions! He is charming, calm and speaks cleverly. Ofcourse, he is born in a noble family and his mind is filled with self-realization. He is fully qualified to accept monkhood. Yet he must be given knowledge of the harshness of monkhood.’
Acharyaji said, “Shikhi, I am happy to know that you are ready to accept monkhood. But monkhood is not so easy, it is quite tough. I want to tell you the road map of monkhood.
• The first thing is - always keeping neutrality towards enemy and friend.
• The five great vows of monkhood have to be followed.
• No attachment should be kept towards materials like clothes, etc.
• Renouncing food post sunset.
• Getting alms free from 42 flaws.
• Eating alms refraining from 5 faults.
• Have limited food and on time.
• Following five regulations and three restraints.
• Practising the twelve types of austerities.
• Observing different types of harsh vows.
• Not taking bath.
• Sleeping on a thin mat on the floor.
• Plucking hair off your scalp.
• Not pampering the body.
• Doing every work only after taking Guru’s permission.
• Enduring 22 types of hardships with calmness.
• Tolerating various attacks with equanimity.
• Understand that monkhood is like insisting on swimming the ocean with two open arms.
• Monkhood is like swallowing mouthfuls of tasteless sand.
• Monkhood is like walking on the sharp edge of a sword.
• Monkhood is like swimming against the current of fast-flowing rivers.
• Monkhood is like weighing Mt. Meru on scales.
• Monkhood is like fighting alone against a huge army.
• Monkhood is like aiming at the centre of the target board!
So, think carefully! After accepting monkhood, there should never be any such remorse in your mind that 'it would have been better if I had not accepted monkhood.’ Therefore, a wise and an intelligent man should change his life only after thinking wisely. However, I have seen your capacity. There is no doubt that you will be able to follow monkhood with complete diligence.”
Shikhi kept listening to Acharyaji’s words with calmness and concentration. Lines of happiness appeared on his face.
Shikhi said humbly, “Gurudev, just as a weak man crosses the dangerous forest with the help of his companion, I will also cross this horrific jungle of life cycle with your guidance.
Just as the disabled cross the ocean with the help of a ship’s captain, I will easily swim this dreadful ocean of birth and death with your support. O benevolent! Just as animals fearlessly graze in the forest under the protection of a cowherd, similarly I will follow the Dharm of abstinence under your supervision.
O benefactor! The pure intellect of self-welfare doesn’t arise in those who are not fortunate. Even if such mindset builds up, yet it’s rare to find a perfect Guru like you. There is no limit of my fortune, Gurudev! My heart is desperate to be devoted at your feet. I surrender to you with my mind, speech and body.
Shikhi’s eyes trickled with tears of joy. His voice drenched. He placed his head at the feet of Gurudev.
Acharyaji said, “I accept you. However, before granting you monkhood, I will give you the knowledge of some scriptures. I will explain the necessary rituals. I will keep you with me in this phase for a few days. Later, I will grant you monkhood.”
“I am thankful!”
Shikhi bowed down and worshipped.
